To read Part 1, please visit Healing Through Movement eNewsletter for March 2005.

Goals

Identify the athlete’s goals and determine what is realistic and plausible based on the injury and sport.

• Athletes – What are the individual goals of the athlete?

• Team – If the athlete is involved with a team, what is the team’s goal and how can the athlete affect that goal positively or negatively with their injury?

• Coach – What is the coach’s goal for the athlete?

• Short Term Goals – Event, season.

• Long Term Goals – Recreational, professional, lifestyle.

Treatment Plan

The treatment team must create a treatment plan in consultation with the athlete.  Some of the treatment will involve direct treatment to the injured area through various means: maintaining cardiovascular fitness, maintaining strength in non-injured areas and correcting compensatory movements within day-to-day activity and sport.

• Local Treatment of Injured Area – Drug therapy, modalities, exercise therapy, pool therapy.

• Management of Compensations and/or Secondary Effects of Injury – Change in technique due to injury.

• Maximize Fitness – Focus on cardiovascular fitness and strengthening non-injured areas of the body.

• Black & White Cases of No Return to Activity – Neurological signs and symptoms (undiagnosed or pending), Frank fracture (requiring surgery or immobilization), complete tear (with loss of power and stability).

Facilitate Return to Play

When the treatment team is determining whether the athlete is ready to return to activity, numerous devices can be used to assist in a safe return to activity.

• Bracing – Over the counter or custom.

• Taping – To provide support and stability of the injured area.

• Injections – As performed by a qualified physician.

• Modifying – Modifying how involved the athlete is in the sport (practice intensity, drills, full practice, warm-up, offence only, defense only, etc.)

• Functional Testing – Having the athlete perform tasks that relate to the sport they are returning to and determining whether they can accomplish them.

• Communicate – Communicating with the athlete, the entire treatment team, coach and family.

This was the second time I have seen Wendy present.  She is an energetic presenter that focuses on clinical experience and skills that are functional.  If you do get a chance to see her present, do.

Resources Recommended by Wendy Epp

• David C. Reid.  Sports Injury Assessment and Rehabilitation. 1992. Churchill Linvingstone.

• Saul Miller. Performing Under Pressure. 1992. McGraw-Hill Ryersen.

Wendy Epp – Form Physiotherapy – Vancouver, BC, Canada 

University of British Columbia (UBC) - Continuing Studies

http://www.cstudies.ubc.ca/physio/  

Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia (PABC)

http://www.bcphysio.org

Article written by Rick Kaselj - rkaselj@healingthroughmovement.com

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